Ignition switch



May 28, 1940. L, R. CALE 2,202,043

IGNITION SWITCH Filed April 22, 1939 2 Sheets-$heet l ELLQL ATTOENEY y 28, 1940- L. R. CALE 02,043

IGNITION SWITCH Filed April 22, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4: Y1 I" 6 lm Patented May 1940 UNITED STATES 2,202,043 IGNITION SWITCH Lambert R. Cale, Bridgeport, Ohio, assignor of one-half to George Bayder, Bridgeport, Ohio Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,340

2 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines such as are used for powering automobiles and airplanes, and more specifically to automatic means for controlling the ignition and electrical circuits thereof.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an automatic ignition cut-out whereby the entire ignition circuit of an internal combustion engine, as well as any other electrical circuit or circuits associated therewith, are broken as soon as the engine stops so that there can be no drainage by the lights, radio, heater and ignition from the battery when the engine is not operating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to which is readily and conveniently applicable for operation with conventional starters and ignition systems of present internal combustion engines of automobiles and airplanes.

20 Another object is to provide a device designed to function as aforesaid and designed to operate by vacuum release from the intake manifold of the engine, mechanical apparatus being included in the invention which will permit the device to 25 operate satisfactorily when the vacuum is low, for instance, when operating under full throttle.

Another object is to provide such a device whereby the entire electrical circuit is broken while an automobile is parked and unattended,

3 thus reducing the hazard of fire.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically and instantly breaking the entire electrical circuit when the vehicle equipped with the invention is subjected to an abll normally severe shock, as when the vehicle col- 'lides with another object, thus to eliminate the danger of fire and consequent injury and damage thereby.

Other objects and advantages not hereinbefore 40 pointed out will appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the inventionfthe cover of the case in which the invention is housed 45 being removed;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the invention, one of the sides of the case in which the invention is housed being removed;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring 50 of the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section of the switch elements which are manually actuated to close the electrical circuit when the engine is to be operated;

ll Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section of the vacuum operated cylinder and associated mechanism, and I Figure 6 is a top plan view of the cylinder and a portion of the associated mechanism.

Referring to said drawings, the reference nul meral l designates a covered rectangular casing in which the invention is housed. A manually 'reciprocable rod 2 is journaled in spaced and aligned bearings 3 and 4 of insulating material, and the rod 2 is manually actuated by an attached flexible wire 5 housed in a flexible sheath 6. The wire 5 extends to and through an aperture in the instrument panel I of the vehicle, and

its free end protruding from the instrument panel is provided with a knob 8 which may be ll grasped by the operator. A block or section of insulating material 9 is interposed between the attached ends of the rod 2 and the wire 5.

The inner end of the rod 2 carries a fixed metal disc I 0, and a sleeve l l is freely slidable on the rod 2 adjacent its inner end, said sleeve being provided with an integral disc l2, which latter is located intermediate the bearings 2 and l. A spiral compression spring I3 encircles the rod 2 and is interposed between the bearing 4 and disc l2. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the sleeve II is received and supported by the bearing 3.

Fixed to the base of the casing l are two spaced, L-shaped, metal terminals I4 and 15, the vertical leg of each of said terminals abutting the face of the bearing 4 between said bearing and the disc l0. Also fixed to the base of the casing l are two spaced, L-shaped, metal terminals I 6 and H, the horizontal legs of the terminals being disposed through the bearing 3 and the vertical legs being disposed in abutting relation to the face of the bearing toward the disc l2. A third metal terminal I! is provided on and fixed to the same face of the bearing 3. A connecting bar I! connects the terminal I5 and the terminal 0 IS. A conductor wire 20 connects the usual grounded storage battery 21 to the connector is, while a conductor wire 22 leads from the terminal I to the starting motor (not shown) for the engine.

Fixed to the base of the casing is a cylinder 23 whose piston 24 is drawn into the cylinder bore by suction force exerted through a tube 25 leading from the engine intake manifold (not shown) to a port provided in the cylinder wall adjacent the bottom of the cylinder.

Mounted on a boss provided on the upper surface of the cylinder head 26 is one end of a resilient metal arm 21, said arm having an aperture through which the piston rod 28 protrudes. A as compression spring I00 encircles the piston rod and is interposed between the arm 21 and a nut 23 which is threaded on the end of the piston rod. Two spaced metal contact points 30 are provided on the under face of the free end of the resilient arm 21.

A conductor wire 3| leads from the connector l8 to a metal plate 32 fastened to the boss of the cylinder head 25, the plate 32 and arm 21 permanently contacting each other.

Fastened to lugs 33 carried by the cylinder head 25 are oppositely disposed and separated plates 34 and 35, each of which is provided on its upper face adjacent its inner end with a contact point 35, the points 35 being vertically aligned with the points 30 of the arm 21 but out of contact therewith.

A conductor wire 31 leads from the plate 34 to a metal plate 55 while a conductor wire 38 leads from the plate 35 to a metal plate 55, the plates 55 and 55 being fixed to a post 39 of insulating material.

Also attached to the post 39 are the ends of two flexible metal strips 40 and 4|, the two strips being spaced apart and having their opposite ends joined together by a section of insulating material 42. A metal contact point 43 is fixed to the under surface of each strip at its free end.

The free ends of the two strips 40 and 4| overlie the free ends of similar metal strips 44 and 45, and the free ends of the strips 44 and 45 are joined together by a section of insulating material 45, while the opposite ends are attached to a post 41 of insulating material. A metal plate 48 is attached to the strip 44 and the post 41, while a metal plate 49 is attached to the strip 45 and the post 41. A metal contact point 55 is fixed to the upper surface of each of the strips 44 and 45 at its free end and the contact points 50 and 43 are in aligned relation.

The said points 43 and 50 are normally maintained in abutting relation by a sphere 5| interposed between the spring strips and a sphere supporting platform 52. Said platform is vertically adjustable by the provision of a threaded stem 53 and a complemental nut 54, adjustment being provided to afford means for increasing or decreasing the force exerted on the spring strips by the sphere.

A conductor wire 51 leads from the plate 48 to the electrical circuit supplying current to the lights, horn, radio, heater, and similar accessories, while a wire 58 leads from the plate 49 to the coil of the ignition system for the engine. A conductor wire 59 leads from the terminal i 8 to the plate 49 and a conductor Wire 55 leads from the terminal H to the plate 48.

When it is desired to start the engine, the knob 8 is grasped and the wire 5 pulled outwardly of the instrument panel 1. Such action initially moves the disc l2 into contact with the terminals i5, i1 and i8. Electrical current is thereby furnished to the engine ignition from the battery 2i through wire 20, connecting bar it, terminal i5, disc I2, terminal i8, and conductor wires 59 and 58, while electrical current is furnished to the lights, horn, etc., from the battery through wire 20, connecting bar i9, terminal i5, disc i2, terminal i1, and conductor wires 55 and 51.

Continued pulling of the knob 5 and wire 5 (during which the spring i3 compresses) moves the disc I0 into contact with the terminals i4 and i5, thus to supply electrical energy from the battery to the starting motor through the wire 20, terminal i5, disc I3, terminal i4 and wire 22. Upon the closing of the electrical circuit to the starting motor, the latter is actuated and commences operation of the engine, electrical current being supplied to the ignition system as aforesaid.

Simultaneously with the commencement of the operation of the engine, suction i'orceis applied to the cylinder 23 through the intake manifold tube 25. This pulls the piston 24 and its rod 28 downwardly, thereby compressing the spring I" and depressing the resilient arm 21 so that the contacts 38 and 35 are brought together. Thus, so long as the engine is operating, electrical current will be furnished to the engine ignition through wires 20 and 3|, arm 21, points 30 and 35, plate 35, wire 38, plate 55, spring strips 4| and 45, plate 43 and wire 58. Likewise, so long as the engine is operating, electrical current will be furnished to the lights, horn, etc., from the arm 21 and points 30 and 35 through plate 34, wire 31, plate 55, spring strips 40 and 44, plate 48 and wire 51.

When the engine commences to operate, the knob 8 and wire 5 are pressed inwardly, disconnecting the discs l0 and I2, thereby to break the electrical circuits controlled by said elements since said circuits are then not required.

Should the engine cease operation, the cylinder 23 will return to atmospheric pressure and the tension of the spring Hill on arm 21 will be released so that said arm will spring upwardly separating contact points 30 an 35 and breaking all electrical circuits. Operation of the engine can then only be restored by actuation of the knob 8, wire 5, and discs in and I2, as herein before described.

Should a vehicle equipped with the invention become involved in an abnormal collision with another object, the shock of the collision will jar the sphere 5| from its position intermediate its platform 52 and the spring strips 40, 4|, 44 and 45. Removal of the sphere from its normal position will permit separation of the strips 40 and 4| from contacting relation with the strips 44 and 45 and all electrical circuits will be broken, thus eliminating the hazard of a fire or an uncontrolled runaway vehicle. Resumption of engine operation may be secured either by replacing the disengaged sphere and starting the engine as hereinbefore described, or the knob 8 and attached wire 5 may be pulled outwardly to move the discs i2 and i0 into circuit closing position for starting the engine, after which the wire 5 is pushed inwardly a suificient distance to disengage the disc iil from contact with the terminals i4 and i5, but maintaining (because of the presence of the compressed spring i3) the disc i2 in contact with the terminals i6, i1 and i8. Thus, electrical energy will continue to be furnished to the ignition system and to the lights, horn, etc. through wires 59--58 and 58-51, respectively.

There may be instances, especially when the engine is under full throttle, when the suction through the tube i5 will be inadequate to maintain the piston 24 and its associated arm 21 depressed. To overcome this contingency, a cam shoe 5| is pivotally mounted on a pin 62 supported by bearing brackets 63. A threaded pin 54 extends through the upper end of the cam shoe 5| and has eyes 55 threadedly received on its opposite ends. A retractile coil spring 56 has one of its ends connected to one of the eyes 55 and has it's opposite end anchored on the casing wall. Another retractile coil spring 51 has one of its ends connected to the other of the eyes and has its opposite end connected to the foot throttle (not shown). Obviously, when the foot throttle is depressed for supplying fuel to the engine, the spring 81 is pulled forwardly, thereby pivotally moving the cam shoe 6| so that its toe engages and depresses the free end of the arm 21 so that the metal contact points 30 and 36 contact each other. The spring 66 returns the cam shoe I out of armdepressing position when pressure on the foot throttle is released. Suction through the tube 25 will maintain the electrical circuits closed while the engine is operating at idling speed.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vehicle powered with an internal combustion engine having an ignition system, a normally open electrical circuit from a source of electrical energy to a-starting motor for said engine, a manually operable switch for controlling the circuit to the starting motor, a normally open electrical circuit to the electrical system of the vehicle, a manually operable switch for controlling the circuit to said electrical system and adapted to be actuated for closing said circuit simultaneously with the actuation of the switch in the starting motor circuit, a second circuit to the electrical system of the vehicle open when the engine is not operating, said ohcuit including a resilient conducting element maintaining the circuit open when the engine is inoperative, a piston in a cylinder operable by suction in the intake manifold of the engine whose piston rod is connected to the resilient conducting element, said conducting element being moved to circuit closing position by said piston and its rod upon and during operation of the engine to maintain said circuit closed, the circuit to the starting motor and the first mentioned circuit to the electrical system of the vehicle being designed to be opened by actuation of their manual switches upon closing of the circuit controlled by the resilient conducting elewent, and a cam associated with and designed to act upon said resilient conducting element and connected to and operable by the throttle of said engine for afiording additional means for moving and maintaining said element in circuit closing position when said engine is being operated from the throttle.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vehicle powered with an internal combustion engine having an ignition system, a normally open electrical circuit from a source of electrical energy to a starting motor for said engine, a manually operable switch for controlling the circuit to the starting motor, a normally open electrical circuit to the electrical system of the vehicle, a manually operable switch. for controlling the'circuit to said electrical system and adapted to be actuated for closing said circuit simultaneously with the actuation of the switch in the starting motor circuit, a second circuit to the electrical system of the vehicle open when the engine is not operating, said circuit including a resilient conducting element maintaining the circuit open when the engine is inoperative, a piston in a cylinder operable by suction in the intake manifold of the engine whose piston rod is connected to the resilient conducting element, said conducting element being moved to circuit closing position by said piston and its rod upon and during operation of the engine to maintain said circuit closed, a break in the said second circuit consisting of separated overlapping conductor elements maintained in contacting relation for maintaining said circuit normally closed'by a wedge interposed between said overlapping conductor elements and an immovable portion of said apparatus, said wedge being adapted to be jolted from wedging position when the vehicle is abnormally jarred to permit separation of the overlapping conductor elements and opening of the circuit.

LAMBERT R. CALE. 

